The faces of air rage - Perspective

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The,  August, 2003  by Harry A. Kern

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Additionally, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security should benefit the security of air travel. For example, the education of, and communication with, the traveling public on topics, such as expected passenger conduct during air travel, the need for heightened awareness for out-of-the-ordinary situations, safety procedures, and travel tips, may improve; this could help in reducing delays, anxiety, and frustration when traveling aboard aircraft. Also, the assumed presence of more federal air marshals could result in fewer air rage incidents aboard commercial aircraft.

Conclusion

Until more fully defined, air rage only can function as a popular term, not a legal one. Greater comprehensive research and more complete data can help in the recognition, assessment, and control of air rage incidents.

Law enforcement agencies can enforce various laws governing passenger behavior; these largely depend on the cooperation of airline personnel, passengers, and, potentially, different jurisdictions. Enforcing them effectively will help keep order in airports and aboard aircraft by deterring passenger misbehavior.

The topic of air rage strikes fear into much of the traveling public, as well as many who work in or around the airline industry. A more complete understanding of this problem would help achieve the ultimate goal--to ensure the safety and pleasure of air travel.

Incidents of Passenger Misconduct
             1995-2002

        1995                146
        1996                188
        1997                321
        1998                282
        1999                310
        2000                321
        2001                321
        2002                216 *

* as of December 12

Source: Federal Aviation Administration

Endnotes

(1) In this article, the author emphasizes the need for a standard definition of air rage. The author uses the term throughout the article for purposes of discussion.

(2) Robert Bor, Morris Russell. Justin Parker, and Linda Papadopoulas, "Managing Disruptive Passengers: A Survey of the World's Airlines": retrieved on March 3, 2003, from http://www.skyrage.org/pdf/academic/ rbor.pdf.

(3) Federal Aviation Administration. "Unruly Passengers, Calendar Years 1995-2002"; retrieved on March 3, 2003. from http:// www2.faa.gov/index.cfm/apa/1077.

(4) Merriam-Webster's On-Line Collegiate Dictionary; retrieved on March 3, 2003, from http://www.m-w.com.

(5) Donato J. Borrillo, M.D., J.D., "Air Rage: Modern Day Dogfight"; retrieved on March 3, 2003, from http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-400a/ fasmb/fas9902/airrage.htm; and The Word Spy; retrieved on March 3, 2003, from http//www.logophilia.com/wordspy/airrage.html.

(6) Supra note 2.

(7) Testimony of Captain Stephen Luckey, Chairman, National Security Committee, Airline Pilots Association, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, 06/11/98; retrieved on March 3, 2003, from http:// cf.alpa.org/internet/tm/sum61198.htm.